I believe in Medicare for all because a. Healthcare is a human right and b. It would provide better care at lower cost.
I believe in anti interventionism because a. Any unnecessary violence is immoral and b. War waists tons of taxpayer money and causes ill will toward America in other parts of the world.
Both. I believe in a set of ideas and want to achieve goals through those ideas, ideological. But there’s also multiple policies that can put those ideas into practice, and so I want to implement the best one, pragmatist.
I believe as the two political parties have pulled to the right and left respectively, they have become more ideological and I have followed. Used to be (and I think more preferable) that there was more pragmatism in society/politics. Question is who pulled who?
Pragmatic. Just the mention of labels tends to annoy me. I don't care if something is "socialist" or "capitalist" I only care about what works and what doesn't, what is right and what is wrong. I believe the best system has yet to begin and it never will be until most of those involved in it realize and contribute towards it and understand that it should constantly evolve.
Im a socially conservative economic center lefty thats a member of a party in a hyperpartisan duopoly. If i wasn’t pragmatic i would have a chance at sanity.
"Ideology is not so much a way of seeing the world as it is a set of blinders designed to keep you going in the ‘right’ direction, even when you would normally bolt and run the other way from horror at the sight of the place your faceless rider, Ideology, is taking you."
It's a bit hyperbolic for sure, but I see no reason not to just consider every issue as it comes, instead of subscribing to an ideology where there will always be something I disagree with. I would never want to find myself justifying things just because it's related to my chosen ideology, which is something I see happen far too often around me.
I typically vote for the person who I see as being the best person for the job. I register independent and I treat every candidate on their own merits.
Totally pragmatic, whatever works. I can go with alt right if I think globalism weakens our economy, with the Greens if I want to address environmental concerns, with the Dems if it's about a social safety net, with the Reps if it's about capitalism and free market.
Only antifa is excluded, we have no common platform.
Be cause they tend to be half hearted policies that are politically feasible. Take the Trump tax cut. The bill cost over $1.5 trillion dollars in lost revenues. Did it drastically reduce the level of taxation for most Americans, perhaps on April 15th, but not throughout the year. Did the reform eliminate the nearly $600 billion in annual compliance cost? No it barely made changes to the Tax code and was cast a significant simplification. It was what was politically acceptable and it is arguable that the amount added to the debt will be more costly than the gains of lower taxation.
I would argue that tax bill failed because it wasn’t pragmatic. It was created to help out the rich, and give crumbs to the average American.
Examples of pragmatism would be a bipartisan bill allowing the US to negotiate prices for pharmaceuticals. Or either party wanting to cut undocumented immigration down by a lot, by making the legal way of getting into the country fair, with a fair process for those already here.
It’s looking at what would be best for the country, and arguably the world, and making those decisions rather than: ‘I’m a capitalist so we must cut all welfare.’ Rather than reforming to ensuring it gives help to those who need it, and punished abusers of the system. Or ‘I’m a socialist so we must give everyone free broadband.’ Instead of negotiating with the companies to keep costs low, but benefit the economy.
The broadband was in the manifesto of the Labour Party in the UK. Highly controversial, is why I used it.
The problem is that when the politicians get to the nitty gritty if actually negotiating these compromises, trying to satisfy both sides produce garbage results. A bill to negotiate pharmaceutical prices sounds nice, but when it's actually implemented it will probably be riddled with bad policies. Immigration reform is necessary, but its doubtful that they will produce a compromise that actually solves the problem. Not saying it can't be done. But being a realist one can see the track record of Washington and see when compromises are done they are failures.
I tend to think ideologically, but act pragmatically. For instance, I tend to support policies that are further left, but I will also consider the good of the country when I vote (hence my approval of Bernie Sanders but my support of Joe Biden). I'm ideological in my views and pragmatic in the sense that I am not willing to stand by a pipedream if it will move the country farther from where it should be.
The ideological part of me generally always grants power to the individual.
They also stand with my main issue on gun rights. Plus it’s a nice fuck you to both the main parties. I really don’t like the two party system and there are very few candidates within in them I can see myself voting for.
Most of my positions are right-leaning but I don’t consider myself a conservative or any particular ideology. I only choose based on what I believe works best.
Would you say your life experiences influenced that, or is this based on political theory and philosophy that you know of through studying/ researching into matters?
I support social democratic principles which is essentially Berne’s platform although I don’t necessarily agree with all of nitty gritty details of his ideas. I do think the US should embrace the Nordic model. What they do there works.
Wrong. If I didn’t have to keep proving you idiots wrong, I would prove it to you. Just like their “free college”. Ever been to Norway or Denmark dimwit??? You must be a smaller American. Small cars, if any cars. Small fridge, small house, micro dishwasher. Mini washer and dryer. A real utopia. The people are very pleasant, but beyond that no. Further, socialized medicine sucks. I lived in Canada for a while. Their medical treatments are downright scary. It is good for colds and that I s about it. I came back to the states for an infection. Keep right on believing ignorance without experience. Leftists are about as dumb as one can get
The AVERAGE income in Nordic countries is lower, but because you’re too stupid to understand mathematics, you think that is reflection of their middle class. It’s actually a reflection of the skewed, concentrated wealth at the top in the US. The MEDIAN income is higher. More importantly, their tax revenue goes to medical care, tuition-free college, and child care. All of those things are extreme out of pocket expenses for Americans. It’s amazing what a basic set of critical thinking skills would do for your dumbass.
I live in the UK, and socialised medicine is fantastic. I get in same day. Their treatments were much better, because doctors aren’t getting kick backs to prescribe or give you something you don’t need. Also, it’s free at the point of use, and prescriptions can only cost up to £9 or roughly $11/$12.
Their free universities in the Nordic countries are good quality, I’ve never heard anyone saying anything bad against them.
The smaller houses, vehicles, fridges, etc. are due to a few reasons. They don’t have the land to build the house so wide, like most of Europe they build up instead. Bigger fridges are viewed as wasteful. You only buy what you need for a week tops. The cars are because of road size and eco-friendly mindset.
The taxes. Their people are happier. They have a capitalist system with high taxes, and large union membership. Their economies are stable. They are innovative. No one worries they will die poor in the streets. Denmark is where the American dream is now.
Sure Mac, that is why all you brits are toothless and come here for medical treatment. Further, the UK economy has been in the dumps for decades, decades! With regards to “ free college”, I never said they were bad. It is free alright, they just severely restrict the number of people accepted at their schools. So much so that the percentage of people with college degrees is significantly below the US. You go right ahead and continue living in the Utopia known as the UK. I will continue living here under our system. By the way, I have been to the UK many times and it horrendous. You have uttered nothing but lies!
This doesn’t even account for the cost side! Note the significance that “size” plays in the study. The UK, Scandinavia are farrrrrrrrr from utopia’s. In the case of the UK, it is a verifiable s-hole. Of all the countries I have ever been to, the UK 🇬🇧 s one of the most miserable.
The bad teeth stereotype is no longer true, but has not ever been included within socialised healthcare anyway! Thank you for showing one of the problems of not having socialised care for most dentistry.
I don’t believe the UK is a utopia. Just superior to the ultra capitalist US.
The welfare state is important and helpful to all.
That claim about higher education in places such as Denmark is frankly untrue. They also encourage trades and high paying union jobs without degrees. A far superior system as well.
That’s why the UK is always in the first two spots for soft power. Aka influence on the rest of the world. While the US spunks it’s money on bloated military budgets the UK spends its on foreign aid and domestic welfare.
The American dream is a far stretch for most Americans, so this is the advice instead.
People who want to achieve the American dream may be better off seeking it in Canada, the U.K. or Denmark according to an earlier study published by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. The study, authored by Raj Chetty, professor of economics at Stanford University, defined the concept as the ability for children born in the bottom fifth of income distribution to reach the top fifth.
You are insane. Soft influence???? You have no influence. Zero. The UK isn’t even a 4th rate power. You do what we tell. You to do. As far as the American Dream goes, it is alive and well. I am an example. I grew up poor in Appalachia and am now worth we’ll north of $10M. That is virtually impossible in the UK and Scandinavia. Further, I had to live in Canada. Toronto and Montreal are beautiful wonderful cities. However, the taxes are crushing. Food and housing are through the roof and their healthcare sucks! Was never more thankful than when I got to move back to the US. I have spent extended time in more than 30 countries, the United States, with all it’s warts, is far superior as a place to live. Each time in return, the starkness of how much better it is here is so evident.
I just frankly do not believe you. I lived in a few different places in the US, now live in the UK and it is just far better. Maybe you just always lived in areas where your beliefs were questioned and your feelings are hurt. The American dream is so rare, if you’re telling the truth you are lucky. I think from everything you’ve said, you’re lying.
If you are telling the truth you forgot where you came from. I can tell you now I will never move back to the third world country that is America.
Far superior ???? That is a joke! And as far as the “bad teeth “ stereotype is true!!!! Very true. Unless one is part of the ruling class, then the rest have bad teeth. UK workers are asking the most worthless in the free world. Worst operations I have ever had are in the UK and France. Socialist countries make it very difficult to close operations. I did it though with minimal extraneous costs
Luck had nothing to do with it ......mate! Hard work did. I have no reason to lie. My home and boat on are on my profile picture. This is my primary residence. I have a second home in TN. If you take a survey of 1000 people, from throughout the world, and asked them where they would prefer to live between the US and the UK, 990 would say the US. Getting the American Dream was soooo easy in retrospect. All I did was have a goal, work hard and educate myself. That was it. Made wise investments and saved. All my neighbors on the island are the same except one guy. He is a former NHL player and coach, but he worked hard in the athletic world. Lastly, workers in the UK are some of the laziest workers in the world. Only France out shines you in regards to being lazy! Even the Russians are more industrious!!!!!!!
Soft power???? Bunch of toothless tigers. I notice that there is not a global power on the list of any kind. The UK exists by the grace and power of the United States of America. Lie all you want,but the UK is a s-hole! The worst part being Scotland and Wales!!! Disgusting
When confronted with the truth,@pragDemSoc ran like the turd he is. Leftists are so self righteousness and convinced their groupthink views are superior until pushed back on. I doubt seriously if the idiot is in London. 8 at night there and Brits are normally hanging by their toes from tree limbs by this time
It’s 1905 here, not running just have no time for someone so diluted in their views. I have no problems with other points of view, just don’t have time for lies, dogma and just inane nonsense being spouted off from a nobody.
“Diluted”? Sure that is what you meant? Enjoy running in your shitty weather. Brush the one tooth you have in your head. And the gastrointestinal discomfort from, what is, undoubtedly, the worst food in the modern world. And ohhhh your sparsely furnished, uncomfortable flat as well. No dogma here. Straight facts and as the saying goes “ you can’t handle the truth”!
Now that I have called @PragDemSoc he is now back. Only after previously blocking me because of his inability to deal with forthright presentation of facts. Your handle should be PragDemDouche
No, the problem I had was someone who has lied throughout just won’t stop pouring out nonsense, personal insults and logical fallacies.
I’m afraid your supposed wealth has blinded you to the facts. Nothing backs up any of your claims.
A true patriot would want the best for his countrymen. Instead you want to see the poor suffer for your self gain. How pathetic.
I have figured out why you love America so much. You actually just love that you can build wealth off of the back of working class people who work far harder than any ceo or manager of a company. You actually love that people can’t get good opportunities.
I’m afraid you’ll always have to live with the fact that the US pretends to be great, but really the rest of the world would much rather do without it. It’s an embarrassment.
Europe and Asia will continue to grow ties and flourish while the US flounders around electing morally bankrupt and inept men. Maybe you should run for President?
PragDemDouche, spoken like a true communist. Or is it that you lack the intelligence and drive to make it own your own? That is it isn’t it? The British two class system has kept you down. Well had you been born in America that would not be the case. You see even someone of moderate intelligence, like yourself, can make it in this country. The whole nobility thing in the UK is only so much bullshit. It has held down generations of brits! Then again, brits are some of the worst, laziest workers I have ever had in any organization. Only out done by the French. We had to work hard to close factories in the UK and France because of your stupid, anti-competitive laws. We brought the work home to the US. The factories here are the most productive in the entire world for this particular country. Ohhhh I am sorry my good fellow I am afraid you have lost the plot, you insufferable tosser !
And PragDemDouche, just remember, you would have been speaking German today if it wasn’t for us. The only thing more cowardly than a Brit is a frog. You ceased being relevant in 1812. American exceptionalism will not be deterred! We don’t lie about our GDP like the Chinese. They are 1.8B people and still only a little over half our economy. And yes I have been there many times. They will steal the shirt off your back. You really are a dimwit. And a coward with the initial block. Tosser!
I was born in the US. Lived in the US. Came to the UK to make a better life. I wouldn’t dream of raising a family in the US. Too many far-right fascists such as yourself are over there. There are problems within the UK, but overall much better place to live and work.
Does being cathartic help you feel better? I’m glad I could assist you in talking through your insecurities.
Lol!!!! Fascists!!! You are funny. Just admit it, you couldn’t make it here. You lack the drive and intellectual horsepower!!! Poll 1000 people from throughout the world and 999 would say they would rather live in the US! You are the apparent lone exception!
Ok, maybe not 99%, but 78%. The U.K. is a far distant second. I chalk that up to more familiarity in former British colonies. Not even close you dipshit
What is fascist PragDemDouche is arresting people for what they say as in the U.K.!!! That is the true definition of fascism! Luckily, we have the BOR’s, so that will NEVER happen here you tosser! You don’t live in the U.K. because you don’t even know what that means!! A true liar and moron
I guess you also think that Obama was fine President even after the news of the day regarding Gen. Michael Flynn??? It doesn’t trouble you that the former President of the United States eavesdropped on the incoming DNI? It chills me. It also chills me that FBI set out to to entrap the man for a made-up investigation on Russia collusion. THESE are the type of people you support. You sanctimonious POS!
I consider myself a pragmatic democratic socialist. I personally believe in democratic socialism, however I realise not all policies are right to implement, especially if not the right time. I suppose I’m quite Fabian in wanting sensible reform, reform when needed, rather than just because that is what my ideological beliefs are.
Yes, but I think really if we are both truly pragmatic, and in positions to do so, we could work out solutions to problems without our ideological beliefs in the way.
Show of Hands
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